Niigata Prefecture

A snow country on the Sea of Japan coast, famous for premium rice and sake, skiing at Echigo-Yuzawa, and Sado Island.

Niigata Prefecture lies on the Sea of Japan side of central Honshu, where a long, narrow coastline is backed by the Echigo Mountains and heavy snow falls in winter. Echigo-Yuzawa is the setting of Yasunari Kawabata's novel Snow Country, with many ski resorts in the snow season and easy transport links. Offshore, Sado Island has gold mine ruins and offers a chance to try tub-boat rides and taiko drumming culture. Niigata is renowned for Koshihikari rice and sake, and brewery tours are very popular. Winter is ideal for skiing and hot springs, while summer suits an island trip. The Joetsu Shinkansen runs directly from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa and Niigata, and Sado Island can be reached by ferry from Niigata Port.

Destinations

• Sado Island
• Echigo-Yuzawa
• Niigata
• Nagano

Itineraries

• Echigo-Yuzawa, Niigata & Sado Island – Head north along the Joetsu Shinkansen to see Kiyotsu Gorge, enjoy Niigata's sake, rice, and seafood, and loop around S…
• Shinshu Snow Monkey, Onsen & Powder Snow – A winter route starting from Nagano to see the snow monkeys, staying in Shibu Onsen and Nozawa, and ending with skiing…
• Grand Kanto & Shinshu Loop – A loop from Tokyo covering Hakone, Mt. Fuji, Matsumoto, Kamikochi, the Snow Monkeys, Kusatsu, and Karuizawa.
• Tokyo, Hokuriku, Takayama & Kyoto Northern Route – Skip the Tokaido route and travel via Karuizawa, Nagano, Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go, and Takayama to Kyoto.